This California Horned Lizard nervously welcomed us to the Los Padres National Forest. The broad back is used to collect sunlight for heating; like a solar hot water system. The horns are modified scales; except for those on the head, which are true horns. California Horned Lizards are not endangered, but they are threatened.
This seems to be a 'Chalcedon' Variable Checkerspot butterfly. We spotted many of them in the San Rafael Wilderness on Memorial Day weekend.
The butterflies were gathering in pairs -- or groups of 3 or 4. Pheromones must have been strong in the air. They seemed to particularly enjoy these flowers, which I think are buckwheat. Meanwhile, the butterflies are enjoying a sort of Roman-style orgy while helping the flowers out with pollination.
Hawks do plenty of different things while they're hovering and flying. They're curious about their surroundings, and spend time using their remarkable vision to examine animals that aren't possible prey: like the photographer.
